Articles and Features

Mark Twain's Birthday

Week of November 30, 1997

Few people living in The United States have not been exposed to Mark Twain. Born
Samuel Langhorne Clemens on November 30th, 1835, Mark Twain was one of the more
influential writers of America. Known as a wit, his writing career began at age 12.
He started writing for "The Hannibal Journal" at that time. He penned such books
as "Tom Sawyer," "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" and "The Prince and
the Pauper."

The following are just a small sampling of the great things that Mark Twain either
said or wrote. I've also included some links to more quotes than you can shake a
stick at. Enjoy!

Introduction and quote compilation by Laura S. Moncur, Staff Writer.

"The report of my death was an exaggeration."

Note to London corresondent of the New York Journal, June 1, 1897

"Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint."

"Truth is the most valuable thing we have. Let us economize it."

Pudd'nhead Wilson, 1894

"Noise proves nothing. Often a hen who has merely laid an egg cackles as
if she had laid an asteroid."

Pudd'nhead Wilson, 1894

"Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example."

Pudd'nhead Wilson, 1894

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take
him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

"Nothing so needs reforming as other people's habits."

Pudd'nhead Wilson, 1894

"The man who doesn't read good books has no advantage over the man who can't
read them."

"I was gratified to be able to answer promptly, and I did. I said I didn't
know."

The Mark Twain Page - A web site made by Mrs. Pertschuk's Harriton High School
English Class of Rosemont, Pennsylvania. A good page with a list of his works, and
a huge selection of his quotes. Includes links to other Mark Twain sites.